I know it man. It's really sad.
- Pixote Andolini

I'm sick of hearing about the lottery pick, the kids, the cap, (while we sit a guy making almost $5 mill), & the patience.
20 games and I'm already tired of Hakstol's voice.

To all the Giroux lovers, who think it's blasphemy to trade that overpaid overrated captain... Tell me would it really make a difference if he was traded? Like the team would be worse without him. It would free up over 8 million in cap & start the rebuild which this team desperately needs.
- Williamc5468

How about this terrifying prospect, trade Giroux and the number 1 center on this team becomes Couturier or B Schenn.

How about this terrifying prospect, trade Giroux and the number 1 center on this team becomes Couturier or B Schenn.
- opeth_pa

Yeah, no pot at the end of that rainbow. If you trade G, you absolutely half to get a potential franchise #1 center back.

OT, but how was that Puck Talks event, or whatever it was called. I was in Boston all week. Really disappointed that I had to miss it. Would have been nice to meet Bill and a bunch of you guys as well.

I'm hoping they have another one, maybe near the draft. Hopefully the turnout was good so they'll do it again.

Part of it is the coaches, too -- you have guys who would rather lose 2-1 than win 5-4

You have to wonder if guys like Ray Whitney and Ray Ferraro would have gotten a sniff in today's game -- Ferraro was talking about it one night during a broadcast, about how it's baffling to him that you are praised for being a one-way player when you can only play defense, but you are criticized for being a one-way player who can only play offense

Ferraro said -- and I agree -- that the barometer should be how hard you play. If you play hard, as an offensive player who doesn't defend well, that should matter and should get you a slot in a lineup
- AllInForFlyers

Here's the difference, unless you are a star level offensive producer, there's going to be a lot of games where you aren't a value to your team. If you're a one way defensive player, you'll be a value to your team in every game.

To all the Giroux lovers, who think it's blasphemy to trade that overpaid overrated captain... Tell me would it really make a difference if he was traded? Like the team would be worse without him. It would free up over 8 million in cap & start the rebuild which this team desperately needs.
- Williamc5468

lol

Here's the difference, unless you are a star level offensive producer, there's going to be a lot of games where you aren't a value to your team. If you're a one way defensive player, you'll be a value to your team in every game.
- MJL

Except for in games when you are down early and need goals.

Here's the difference, unless you are a star level offensive producer, there's going to be a lot of games where you aren't a value to your team. If you're a one way defensive player, you'll be a value to your team in every game.
- MJL

Yup.


(Assuming you mean good possession players)

Here's the difference, unless you are a star level offensive producer, there's going to be a lot of games where you aren't a value to your team. If you're a one way defensive player, you'll be a value to your team in every game.
- MJL

Huh?

Very good point. A couple of weeks ago I questioned whether the players feel stifled playing in a defensive-first system. No one really jumped on that, and MJL countered that he doesn't view Hak's system as defensive.

I still maintain it's a valid point. Both Berube's system and Hak's system are similar, and these players haven't played particularly well in either. The team was much more dynamic under Laviolette. Other teams have a more dynamic offense.

So yes, the Flyers lack the general talent of those teams. But maybe the system isn't getting the most out of the talent we have either.
- TheGreat28

How specifically do you think Berube;s and Hastol's system are similar? I will tell you this, Hakstol and Berube's systems are similar to pretty much every team in the league. I remember when Lindy Ruff was labeled as a defensive first coach. Currently the coach of the top offensive team in the league. Same with Hitchcock, who was incorrectly labeled a defensive coach.

Laviolette is a coach who like to be extremely aggressive offensively with 3 man press forechecks and strong side pinches. This team cannot play that way, and would get killed playing that way.

Except for in games when you are down early and need goals.
- tuna99

If he doesn't produce offensively, then he is of no value.

"It was competitive all the way through the 1st period, but to give up that first goal put us back on our heels". Hakstol.


This is not the first time Hak has alluded to the other team scoring the first goal basically jostled his team.

It's hard to evaluate a coach right now. But what the hell is this? He makes it seem like this is acceptable. What the hell is being said to these guys?

I think there are a few of us who watch Blackhawks games, or track them a bit

Those who do can confirm this: Ask how long Joel Quenneville put up with lack of production from 1LW, now that Brandon Saad is gone. He has gone through FIVE guys at 1LW, and last night, he moved Marian Hossa down to 3RW because Hossa has, I think, two goals this season

They have brought guys up and sent guys down and moved guys around

These are the Stanley Cup champions, and I won't argue if somebody calls them a dynasty, and they have zero issues in moving on from people and giving someone else a chance when they aren't producing
- AllInForFlyers

Blackhawks are in a win now posture, they can't afford to be patient, especially with the slow start to the season that they've had.

"It was competitive all the way through the 1st period, but to give up that first goal put us back on our heels". Hakstol.


This is not the first time Hak has alluded to the other team scoring the first goal basically jostled his team.

It's hard to evaluate a coach right now. But what the hell is this? He makes it seem like this is acceptable. What the hell is being said to these guys?
- Just5

There is zero in that statement that alludes to Hakstol seeming like he finds that acceptable. What are you talking about?

"It was competitive all the way through the 1st period, but to give up that first goal put us back on our heels". Hakstol.


This is not the first time Hak has alluded to the other team scoring the first goal basically jostled his team.

It's hard to evaluate a coach right now. But what the hell is this? He makes it seem like this is acceptable. What the hell is being said to these guys?
- Just5

"Matthews is coming soon, boys."

How about this terrifying prospect, trade Giroux and the number 1 center on this team becomes Couturier or B Schenn.
- opeth_pa

There is no one on the team or in the system that projects to even a sure 2C

How could you possibly trade giroux and improve within the next 5 years?

Blackhawks are in a win now posture, they can't afford to be patient, especially with the slow start to the season that they've had.
- MJL

I'm surprised that their record as what it is with Kane lighting up the league.

Puck skating offensive zone entries don't look to improve with Laughton out, and what, Vinnie in? I'm the only one who wants him bought out, the dead cap space issue? He is dead cap space the longer he's here, and that will give them the start of some breathing room to do something.
I'm not one for the "patience" route. Last seasons goal production was the lowest in 10 prior seasons.
I'm sorry, we look like a capped out expansion team.
- puckhead17

What are they going to do with it?

Yeah, that's only 60 more games, and another depressing hot summer away.

Cake.
- puckhead17

I didn't expect playoffs anyhow. If they suck it's not exactly unexpected

Yeah, no pot at the end of that rainbow. If you trade G, you absolutely half to get a potential franchise #1 center back.
- TheGreat28

G for Stamkos' rights.

Get it done Hemoglobin!

OT, but how was that Puck Talks event, or whatever it was called. I was in Boston all week. Really disappointed that I had to miss it. Would have been nice to meet Bill and a bunch of you guys as well.

I'm hoping they have another one, maybe near the draft. Hopefully the turnout was good so they'll do it again.
- TheGreat28

I really enjoyed it. Bryz was a riot, but there was a lot of good stuff from Bill and the other reporters on hand.

Here's the difference, unless you are a star level offensive producer, there's going to be a lot of games where you aren't a value to your team. If you're a one way defensive player, you'll be a value to your team in every game.
- MJL

except when you're losing because you're not scoring any goals

I didn't expect playoffs anyhow. If they suck it's not exactly unexpected
- Jsaquella

At best I felt they could contend for one of the last playoff spots, but not making it wouldn't at all shock me.

At best I felt they could contend for one of the last playoff spots, but not making it wouldn't at all shock me.
- ob18

When the best you can hope for is to squeak into the last playoff slot, how pissed can you be if the team is bad?

When the best you can hope for is to squeak into the last playoff slot, how pissed can you be if the team is bad?
- Jsaquella

We'll finish dead last and pick 4th. Just you wait and see.